Usborne Apologises for Saying Breasts Are There to Make Girls Attractive

Usborne has apologised for saying that the function of breasts is to make a girl look “grown-up and attractive.”

Usborne Publishing has received criticism from parents for the content in one of its popular puberty books, Growing Up for Boys.

Children’s book publisher has since apologised and has confirmed it will be revising its popular book on puberty, after writer and blogger Simon Ragoonanan highlighted a page of Growing Up for Boys on his Man vs Pink Facebook page. “WTF? From the Usborne Publishing book “Growing up for Boys”: Girls have breasts for two reasons – for feeding babies and looking grown-up and attractive.”

The book, which was published in 2013 is described as a “frank and friendly book offering boys advice on what to expect from puberty and how to stay happy and confident as they go through physical, psychological and emotional changes. “

Parents responded with shock that a company, which is bring entrusted with educating young children, could be responsible for shaping the truth in such a way. Claudia Weidman commented in response, “Hmmm...and we wonder why men victimize and oogle women so much. Maybe because they are taught to do that at a young age thinking it’s acceptable.”

Others felt that the wording was slightly off, whilst some argued that it is somewhat true. Zinnia Flowerbud, who studied Anthropology of Sex at college stated, “This is actually true. Breasts are larger and more prominent than other animals for the purpose of attracting a mate. Males favour the hour glass shape because a small waist tells them “healthy” wide hips “good for bearing children” and large breasts “fertile.”

The boy’s book What’s Happening to Me, which is also published by Usborne and is aimed at a slightly younger audience, also makes similar comments. “The changes that happen to girls get them ready to have babies, and also make them sexually attractive.”

A spokesperson from Usborne Publishing told the Guardian: “Usborne apologies for any offence caused by this wording and will be revising the content for reprinting.”